Signing of Heffernan a massive coup for Bulli

By
MITCH COHEN

Bulli have pulled off one of the biggest signings of the season by securing the services of former Socceroo Dean Heffernan.

Dean Heffernan, seen here playing for Western Sydney Wanderers, is to join Bulli when the signing window opens on June 1. Picture: GETTY IMAGES

ILLAWARRA PREMIER LEAGUE

Bulli have pulled off one of the biggest signings of the season by securing the services of former Socceroo Dean Heffernan.

The 34-year old will take up a position with the 2013 runners-up when the signing window opens on June 1 after only retiring from professional football with the Western Sydney Wanderers this week.

He played with Bulli over a decade ago and had a short stint with Dapto Dandaloo Fury last season before moving to the Wanderers.

Bulli coach Ben Smith, who once played on the same team as Heffernan in the Northern Suburbs, said the signing was a huge coup for the club.

"He has only just finished with the Wanderers, so he will be fit and ready to go which is good. But obviously he is top shelf in sort of quality," Smith said.

"Importantly he knows the club, he has been at the club before. Quite a lot of the guys who were at the club then are still there now, so there are a lot of familiar faces for him."

Smith expects the defender to have a big impact on the club when he straps on the boots.

Smith's men have had a strong start to the season, with his possession-based style stifling their rivals.

"If you get the other team chasing the ball for long periods eventually they are going to get tired and gaps will open up. It might not happen until very late in the game but it does take its toll when you chase," Smith said.

"We have played against a couple of teams who have done that to us this year and you could tell it wasn't that much fun for the boys. They weren't to used to it.

"It is very important to us to hold possession as much as we can."

Smith will look to continue their possession dominance on Saturday against Tarrawanna, one of the competition's best attacking units.

With names like Goodchild, Stone and Prenzoski at their disposal, the Blueys are likely to pounce on any errant passing at the back.

"They have got a lot of dangerous players and you would expect them to click sooner rather than later," Smith said.

"They are a good team and have been for a few years. I see them as one of the challengers for the title this year, that is for sure."

In other games on Saturday, Woonona look to bounce back from their first loss of the season against Fernhill, while Albion Park White Eagles host Wollongong United.

On Sunday, South Coast United play Wollongong Olympic and Port Kembla battle the undefeated Dapto Dandaloo Fury.